Mixed feelings over Morrisons town centre plan

CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform a town centre have received a mixed reaction.

Supermarket giants Morrisons want to build a new 60,000sq ft outlet and petrol station on the former Bishopbriggs High School site.

The plans also include a community hub, medical centre and civic space area.

A representative from Morrisons unveiled revised plans for the development to members of the community-led Bishopbriggs Town Team at a meeting last week.

However, the revised plans received a less than positive reaction, with some people claiming the store was still too far away from the town centre, and that shoppers would be unwilling to walk to it through a huge car park.

Concerns were also raised about proposals to get rid of the underpass beside Bishopbriggs Library, the position of the store’s service yard and plans to include a petrol station. Shop owner John Dickson, a member of the town team, said: “It’s obviously better than the terrible thing that was presented before, but the store’s still too far away.

“They’ve brought it 55 metres closer to the town centre, but that’s not enough.”

Another town team member said: “This is not an edge of town development, this is the main shop in the middle of our town. People in Bishopbriggs walk to the shops and want that to continue.”

Bishoprbiggs Town Team was formed last year.

Following consultation with residents and community groups the team brought in architects Page and Park to draw up a ‘vision’ for the town centre.

Town team member Donald Macdonald said: “We’re looking to sit down with Morrisons and their architects and take their plans, which are a work in progress, and try to bring them to a completion that has the best outcome possible for Morrisons and, more importantly, for the community.”

Councillor Billy Hendry said: “The new plans are definitely a move forward, but Morrisons need to take into account what the town team is saying and there has to be continued discussions.”

A public exhibition of the plans is expected to take place this month.